MCLAWS, Lafayette

Confederate

Born: January 15, 1821, Augusta GA

Died: July 24, 1897, Savannah GA

Pre-War Profession: He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1842, placing 48th out of 56 cadets, served as an infantry officer in the Mexican–American War, in the West, and in the Utah War to suppress the Mormon uprising.

War Service: Colonel of the 10th Georgia Infantry regiment; then quickly again to brigadier general in brigade and division command in the Seven Days Battles. He joined Maj. Gen. James Longstreet's First Corps in the Army of Northern Virginia as 1st Division commander and stayed with Longstreet for most of the war. On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, McLaws commanded the second division to step off in Longstreet's massive assault on the Union left flank. Longstreet relieved McLaws due to the failure of the attack on Fort Sanders.

Post War: After the war, McLaws worked in the insurance business, was a tax collector for the IRS, served as Savannah's postmaster in 1875-76, and was active in Confederate veterans' organizations.